Prairie Township

Fish fry to include car show, entertainment

If you go

The 64th annual fish fry is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 and 29 at the fire house, 106 Norton Road. The car show is scheduled for June 28, with registration beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The annual Prairie Township Firefighters Fish Fry will once again include a car show and live entertainment.

Now in its 64th year, this year's event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 28 and 29 at the fire house, 106 Norton Road. The car show is scheduled for Friday, June 28, with registration beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The Westland Area Business Association's annual Independence Day Parade will again coincide with the fish fry and will be held Saturday, June 29, starting at 10 a.m. The theme of this year's parade is "Westland CommUNITY."

The parade will start at Lincoln Village Plaza, head west down West Broad Street and end at the location of the fish fry.

Fire department dispatcher Nancy Hunter, who organizes the fish fry each year, said the car show was cancelled last year because of storms and high winds that blew in late in the afternoon. The rain and subsequent power outages made for a not-so-successful fish fry, she said.

With fingers crossed, Hunter said she is banking on great weather to bring out the masses, ready to indulge in fresh ocean perch sandwiches while sitting back and enjoying a variety of entertainment and the company of friends and family.

"Each year, we fry up about 2,500 pounds of ocean perch," Hunter said. "This event really is a homecoming to many who grew up here."

The popular car show attracts a crowd, Hunter said. Registration costs $10 per vehicle. Free dash plaques will be given to the first 100 registered vehicles and there will be an opportunity for those car owners to win one of 50 trophies, she said.

Each evening, there will be live entertainment featuring local bands that perform both country and rock music, she said. The band CLO will play on Friday evening with The Posse scheduled for Saturday evening.

Both days will feature vendors offering a variety of wares and services and there will be entertainment for the children, Hunter said.

In addition to the fish, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available, as will a selection of dessert options, Hunter said.

She said the fish fry would not be possible without the support of its major sponsors.

"They have all supported us for years," Hunter said.

Those sponsors are the Prairie Township Board of Trustees, Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott, Eric Snider from State Farm Insurance and Taliaferro Enterprises.